Publication History

My aim in this paper is to present the basic elements of scientific
realism and the major lines of argument in support of the position. So
as not to define scientific realism by contrast with any specific
opposing position, I will state the position and the arguments for it in
as general a manner as possible. There is a broad range of positions
opposed to scientific realism. The opposition is not limited to any
specific aspect of realism. Nor is it limited to any one single line of
anti-realist argument.
The main point I wish to make is that there are a number of different
arguments which work together to support scientific realism.
Realists often speak as if there is one argument, the so-called success
or “no miracles” argument, which is the argument for scientific realism.
While this argument no doubt plays a central role in the argument
for scientific realism, it is only one of a battery of arguments which
make up the case for scientific realism.

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